Public Debate Continues Over The Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)—Major changes to Maryland’s marijuana laws. This weekend, decriminalization passed the House of Delegates.

Monique Griego has more on the bill and the ongoing debate.

The law makes possession of small amounts of marijuana a civil — instead of criminal — offense.

While the vote is over, outrage over the bill isn’t.

At times, the debate got heated.

“House of Delegates, you can do better. Our people deserve better. Our kids deserve a better message, and this is not it,” said Del. Michael McDermott, (R)-Somerset County.

Despite passionate pleas from critics, Maryland’s House of Delegates on Saturday passed a bill to decriminalize marijuana in Maryland.

“The key is there will be civil penalties instead of criminal penalties for small amounts of marijuana,” said Del. Keiffer Mitchell Jr. (D)-Baltimore.

That amount being 10 grams.

“Criminalizing people for a small amount of marijuana is not good, not good for our society or our public resources,” said Delegate Allan Kittleman.

Maryland’s Senate already passed a similar bill, and after agreeing to some changes, the bill is now on its way to the governor. Those in favor say similar laws in other states haven’t increased problems.

“In no state has any other drug usage gone up…not heroin, cocaine, nothing,” said Delegate Bobby Zirkin.